Abstract: Successful application of an engineered protein as therapeutics or in other industries would require the protein to have good expression level, good biophysical properties and often desired affinity to its target. The present invention provides a method of screening large numbers of protein candidates (PCs) in all three aspects simultaneously. PCs are fused to a protein anchor, which is captured by the target/antigen. The captured PCs are evaluated for their expression levels, biophysical properties and affinities using conventional methods.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common human pathogens, is associated with the development of human chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The invention relates to a ?1,6-glucan-containing Helicobacter pylori compound comprising the structure of Formula I: wherein R is a ?-DDHep-3-?-L-Fuc-3-?-GlcNAc trisaccharide substituted with an ?1,6-glucan linked to an ?1,3-DD-heptan, and wherein the last DD-Hep residue of ?1,3-DD-heptan is capped with ?-GlcNAc residue. Compositions comprising the compound, uses of the compound, and antibodies raised against the compound are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of fluorinated cyclic dinucleotides and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as an adjuvant for the preparation of an oral vaccine. Further disclosed is the use of fluorinated cyclic dinucleotides and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for enhancing the immune response to an orally administered vaccine.

Abstract: A method of selectively identifying live microorganisms in a sample involves contacting a sample suspected of containing a live microorganism of interest with a biomolecular precursor labeled with a reactive chemical label. The live microorganism of interest is grown under conditions that promote selective growth of the microorganism to permit the microorganism to utilize the labeled biomolecular precursor to synthesize labeled biomolecules on a cell surface of the live microorganism. Labeled live microorganisms are contacted with a reporter and/or capture element bearing a functional group that reacts with the reactive chemical label. The labeled live microorganism is analyzed to identify it. The method can specifically isolate live microorganisms from dead ones thereby reducing the possibility of false identification of contaminating microorganisms and is able to detect specific strains using tailored metabolites that are specific for a given microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to colchicine derivatives, methods and uses thereof for treatment of cancer.

Abstract: In a centrifugal microfluidic device for conducting capture assays, a microfluidic platform rotates in a plane of rotation and has at least one capture surface for immobilizing a target particle of interest in the device. The capture surface oriented so that it is not parallel to the plane of rotation of the device and is positionally fixed in the device during operation of the device. The centrifugal force arising from rotation of the device forces the target particles against the capture surface. Capture efficiency is independent of the rate of flow of the fluid and independent of the rate of rotation of the microfluidic platform.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve operable to semi-permanently close a channel of a microfluidic device defined between a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) film and a substrate operates employs a surface contact bond between the TPE and a wall of the channel. Thermomechanical release of the valve, tristate functionality, and repeated semi-permanent closure and release are demonstrated.

Abstract: A composition made of at least 60 wt. % of a thermoplastic elastomer resin and additives that are solid at least from 0-50° C., that has a Shore A hardness that is less than about 50 bears a patterned surface, the pattern comprising at least one microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 microns is a substrate for forming a microfluidic device. The chief advantages of such compositions are: its ability to bond in a sealing manner to smooth surfaces of many different compositions, its ease of manufacture and microstructure patterning, and its general impermeability to liquids.

Abstract: A microfluidic system, particularly suited as a cell culture system, is provided having a single monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements required for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels for precisely controlling cellular environment. The system has the additional advantages of low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, amenability to mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques. A ratio of greater than 0.2 between the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing distance of the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for tailoring the work function of electrodes in organic electronics using interfacial modifiers comprising functionalized semiconducting polymers and/or small molecules.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing neurogeneration in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising administration of a composition comprising CoQ10 and polyoxyethanyl-a-tocopherylsebacate (PTS). The compositions of the invention have been shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in mammals, thus effecting delivery of CoQ10 directly to brain tissue. Beneficial effects of the treatment have been observed at lower doses of CoQ10 than previously described.

Abstract: A discrete nanostructure formed by a method comprising providing an aliphatic multi-block copolymer. The aliphatic multi-block copolymer includes at least one polyester block and at least one functionalized polycarbonate block. The aliphatic multi-block copolymer, a deprotonating agent and water are mixed to form an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture is maintained at a reaction temperature suitable to result in self-assembly of the multi-block copolymer into nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for open-atmosphere flame based spraying employs a nozzle to preheat, pressurize and atomize a mechanically pumped reactive and flammable liquid solution through a small orifice or a nozzle and then a set of pilot flames to combust the spray. The liquid feedstock is preheated to a supercritical temperature before reaching the nozzle and is pressurized before spraying due to a reduced size of the outlet port of the feedstock flow channel relative to the inlet. A supplementary collimating, or sheathing, gas is supplied to the flow channel of the feedstock and both the feedstock and the supplementary gas are uniformly heated before spraying. This arrangement helps to avoid clogging of the nozzle and results in satisfactory control of the properties of the particulate products of the spraying procedure.

Abstract: A quantum device is provided that includes controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds extending from a surface of a semiconductor material. Each of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds has a separation of at least one atom of the semiconductor material. At least one electrode is provided for selectively modifying an electronic state of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds. By providing at least one additional electron within the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds with the proviso that there exists at least one unoccupied dangling bond for each one additional electron present, the inventive device is operable at least to 293 degrees Kelvin and is largely immune to stray electrostatic perturbations. Room temperature operable quantum cellular automata and qubits are constructed therefrom.

Abstract: An enzyme useful for producing cyclic peptides from linear peptide precursors and a gene encoding the enzyme are described. The enzyme is particularly useful for producing segetalins from linear presegetalin precursors. The linear presegetalin precursors may be derived from other linear presegetalin precursors farther upstream in the biosynthetic synthesis of the segetalin.

Abstract: A polymer of formula (I): where: n is an integer from 10 to 5,000; m is an integer from 10 to 5,000; Ar1 and Ar3 are the same or different and are residues derived from a tetra-hydroxy aromatic monomer, the tetra-hydroxy aromatic monomer being wherein R is the same or different and is H or a C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl or C3-C8 cycloalkyl group; and, Ar2 and Ar4 are the same or different and are residues derived from a tetra-halogenated aromatic monomer, the tetra-halogenated aromatic monomer being wherein X is F, Cl or Br, and R1 and R2 are the same or different and are wherein y is an integer from 1 to 8; with the proviso that when Ar1 is the same as Ar3 and Ar2 is the same as Ar4, R1 and R2 are not both —CN is useful as a material for gas separation, vapor separation, adsorbents or catalysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single domain antibody (sdAb) scaffold comprising one or more than one non-canonical disulfide bond in the framework region (FR). The one or more than one non-canonical disulfide bond may be formed between cysteines introduced by mutations in FR2 and FR3. In the case where the sdAb scaffold is a VH, the Cys may be introduced at any one of positions (47-49) and any one of positions (67-71), based on Kabat numbering; in one example, the Cys may be introduced at positions (49) and (69), based on Kabat numbering. In the case where the sdAb scaffold is a VL, the Cys residues may be introduced at any one of positions 46-49 and any one of positions (62-66), based on Kabat numbering; in one example, the Cys residues may be introduced at positions (48 and 64), based on Kabat numbering.

Abstract: Compounds of interest, for example active pharmaceutical ingredients, probes or inactive carriers, may be delivered to a site of interest by conjugating the compound of interest to a collagen-binding linear hairpin (CBLH) peptide to form a molecule of Formula (I) and then providing the molecule to the site of interest where the CBLH peptide binds to collagen at the site of interest thereby delivering the compound of interest to the site of interest.

Abstract: In a premix supply, for supplying a fuel and oxidizer gas into a combustion chamber for burning, the premix supply having a smaller diameter flow than the combustion chamber, the premix supply comprising at least one dielectric barrier discharge device (DBD) comprising two electrodes separated by a dielectric, improved flame stability limits may be provided for the adjacent combustor by the actuation of the DBD to induce ionic wind. Both electrodes may be provided in a single wall of the premix supply. The two electrodes may be arranged substantially upstream and downstream of each other. The electrodes may be arranged to generate an ionic wind preferentially directed in a direction of flow through the premix supply.

Abstract: Processes, vectors and engineered cell lines for large-scale transfection and protein production in mammalian cells, especially Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are described in which transfection efficiencies are realized through the use of a single vector system, the use of functional oriP sequences in all plasmids, the use of codon-optimized Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) constructs, the use of a fusion protein between a truncated Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1c (EBNA1c) protein and a herpes simplex virus protein VP16, the use of a 40 kDa fully deacetylated poly(ethylenimine) as a transfection reagent, the use of co-expression of a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and/or the use of protein kinase B to potentiate heterologous gene expression enhancement by valproic acid (VPA).